The 5 players I wish still played basketball for the Oregon Ducks

Who do you want back?

The Oregon Ducks basketball team has gone through some tough times over the past few seasons.

Although they’re not the most prestigious program in the country, the history of the team has a lot to offer, and there are a number of former players who would undoubtedly help turn the team around heading into the 2012-13 college basketball season.

Greg Ballard

Having never seen Greg Ballard play, it’s tough to imagine how someone 6’7”, 210 pounds, averaged 21.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in a season, but that’s exactly why it would be a treat to see him make a comeback during his prime for the Oregon Ducks.

Ballard was drafted No. 4 to the Washington Bullets in 1977, making him the highest draft pick in Oregon history.

Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks is one of the most exciting point guards to ever play for the University of Oregon.

Brooks had a breakout senior season, which was a relief to fans who had watched him struggle at times throughout his first three years with the team.

As a 6’0” point guard, Brooks averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds en route to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2006-07 season.

Despite a standout 2009-10 season in the NBA, Brooks has had some trouble making a name for himself at the next level. His legacy lives on at Oregon, however, as he will always be a fan favorite.

Stan Love

Stan Love was a two-time All-American at the University of Oregon and is one of the best big men to ever wear the green and yellow jersey.

A big-time scorer and rebounder during his days at the collegiate level, Love led the conference in scoring twice during his four years with the program.

Known nowadays as the father of NBA megastar Kevin Love, the former Oregon Duck would quickly make today’s fans forget about his son, and remember the days where he was an All-American in Eugene, Ore.

Terrell Brandon

Terrell Brandon only stuck around Oregon for two seasons, but in his sophomore year he made his mark in Eugene by averaging 26.6 points and approximately five assists per game.

The Portland native went on to have a solid NBA career, and during the 1997 season was deemed the league’s “Best Point Guard” by Sports Illustrated and named the winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award that same season.

Luke Ridnour has gone on to have some success at the NBA level

Brandon was inducted into the Oreogn Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and is a player and a person any Oregon fan would love to have back in green and yellow.

“The Lukes”

Call it a copout, but Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson both make this list as the No. 1 players I’d most like to see back in an Oregon Ducks uniform.

Luke Ridnour has gone on to have some success at the NBA level, but at Oregon, he’s still remembered for his incredible Elite Eight appearance in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

The 6’2” point guard averaged 17.5 points, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals with the Ducks, all while shooting 41.1 percent from beyond the three-point line.

His numbers were what helped the team win, but his up-tempo style is what kept fans intrigued night in and night out.

Luke Jackson is one of the most complete players to ever put on an Oregon uniform, having gone down as the only player in school history to cement himself in the top ten in nine different categories.

This feat is highlighted by the second-most points scored, third in steals and first in free-throws made.

Jackson averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists during his senior season and was a finalist for the Jon R. Wooden Award and Naismith College Player of the Year award.